Steps to Help Build a Solid Credit History

You have influence on what your credit history looks like. Your credit history, or profile, is a record of your credit accounts and timeliness of your payments. The better your credit history, the better your chances of receiving additional credit in the future, and receiving this credit at the best possible interest rates.

If you find yourself having problems making payments, contact each creditor to see if they can help. Then call the National Foundation for Consumer Credit at 800.388.2227 to locate a free or low-cost credit counseling agency near you. Take care of problems when they happen.

Be sure to investigate credit card offers thoroughly. Do not fall for scams that sound too good to be true. If you think you are a victim of a scam, visit the Better Business Bureau Web site (http://www.bbb.org/), the Federal Trade Commission Web site (http://www.ftc.gov/) or call the FTC hotline at 800.372.8347.

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